Dundee LibDems call for plans to cut Scotland's roads maintenance budget to be dropped

5.15.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jul 2007

Dundee LibDems call for plans to cut Scotland's roads maintenance budget to be dropped

Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Wednesday 11th July) added their voice against the Scottish Executive's new SNP administration's plans to slash funding for roads maintenance to "the bare minimum".

The SNP is considering a cut of more than £60 million across Scotland on roads maintenance. The plans are contained in a report being considered by the SNP Scottish Executive. Questioned in Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for roads budgets, John Swinney MSP confirmed that the SNP is considering the recommendation "carefully".

Challenged by the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament to reject the plans from the outset, the Cabinet Secretary refused, saying that it "will be considered by the Government as part of the strategic spending review" (Official Report, 24 May 2007).

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson in the Scottish Parliament and Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland, Alison McInnes MSP, said, "Liberal Democrats want to see increased investment in the repair and upkeep of Scotland's roads.

"We are campaigning hard to make the SNP drop these ludicrous plans. Rather than considering cuts to vital road maintenance budgets, the SNP should now be taking up the Liberal Democrat suggestion for a Local Roads Improvement fund to pump at least an extra £20 million into making our roads safer."

Here in Dundee, Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson said, ""Liberal Democrats are extremely concerned that the SNP is considering this move at a time when our roads would benefit from serious investment.

"Roads across Scotland must not be allowed to deteriorate and become dangerous. Road safety is too important to be cut back to 'the bare minimum'."

Related Link:

Scottish LibDem website.